APPELLATE HIGHLIGHTS

In re GJP, 2020 UT 4 (Feb. 5, 2020)

Feb 5, 2020

The juvenile court appointed a Guardian Ad Litem (“GAL”) for a mother defending against termination of parental rights proceedings. The Office of Public Guardian (“OPG”) objected to the appointment arguing that the court had no authority to appoint a GAL for the mother, or that the court abused its discretion in doing so. The supreme court held that the juvenile court has inherent authority to appoint a GAL, but the OPG cannot be compelled to assign a GAL for the mother without OPG’s consent as required by statute.